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Texas State Fires Tenured Professor Thomas Alter Again After Internal Hearing

Texas State cited serious misconduct and risks to campus trust in reaching the decision.

Overview

  • President Kelly Damphousse notified Alter on Monday that his employment was terminated effective immediately following an Oct. 6 in-person hearing with Provost Pranesh Aswath.
  • The university characterized Alter’s Sept. 7 remarks at a Socialist Horizon conference as advocating incitement and as serious misconduct that undermined confidence in the institution’s neutrality and safety.
  • Alter was first dismissed on Sept. 10 after a viral video clip circulated, then reinstated with pay by a Hays County judge on Sept. 26 without being allowed to return to the classroom.
  • Alter is pursuing a lawsuit alleging First Amendment and due-process violations, with court records showing a temporary-injunction hearing scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
  • Alter denies wrongdoing, plans to appeal to the Board of Regents within three days, and unions along with local officials have condemned the university’s action.